The Holy See’s diplomat to the United Nations has reiterated a call to end nuclear proliferation, saying the best way to honor the late Pope Francis is to “rediscover the spirit” that created the global organization following World War II, and collaboratively strive for peace.

Indeed, “in times of trouble” it’s only natural for Catholics to resort to petitioning their own Mother Mary. And five years ago — on May 1, 2020, during the first terrifying stages of the COVID-19 pandemic — the bishops of the United States did just that.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is a popular speaker who is comfortable in several languages, has traveled extensively and is known for his focus on evangelization and care for the poor and for immigrants.

Although conventional wisdom says he is too young to become pope, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, began appearing on media lists of possible future popes soon after he was created a cardinal in September 2023.

Once upon a time I was a second grader at St. Pius X School in Towson. One day, our teacher, Sister Suzanne, announced to my class that it was time to prepare for the May Procession.